About Community Science

Since 1997, Community Science has provided an integrated approach to building the capacity of organizations and institutions, helping to develop healthy, just and equitable communities. Our greatest strength is the study of community and system change. Community Science represents a network of leading community development practitioners and scientists in the United States and Europe, with offices in Maryland, Italy and Portugal.

From day one, our objective has been simple: to develop the knowledge necessary to address social problems in a way that benefits all communities. We answer evaluation and research questions using state-of-the-art qualitative and quantitative methods. We combine the principled, rigorous use of scientific methods with practical tools to foster learning and improved capacity for social change.  Our services include research and evaluation services, capacity-building products and services, and initiative management and support. To learn more about these services, click here for a copy of our organization's brochure.

Our Values

Community Science is a values-based organization. We are committed to promoting and supporting the social justice, health, economic equity, and well being of all people. Our core values include:

• Valuing diversity, equality, and equity;
• Promoting civic participation;
• Including individuals in decision-making and social change processes that affect their lives;
• Learning as individuals and collectively as an organization and community;
• Enhancing scientific, professional, and public capacity to use information and share knowledge; and
• Ensuring the quality of our work while enjoying it.

Our Services

Community Science provides capacity building services to government agencies, foundations, and nonprofit organizations. These services include:

• Research, evaluation, and evaluation capacity building;
• Learning systems and strategy development;
• Technical assistance, training, and other consultation on social change;
• Adult and professional education programs;
• Information technology; and
• Facilitation, planning, and consultation on community building and intermediary support system development.

Our Methods

Community Science provides services in a collaborative and participatory manner to ensure that they meet the goals of the participants and, at the same time, embody our core values. Community Science pays careful attention to the lessons learned from previous research and practice, and combines them with the experiences of participants. Community Science utilizes and combines various methods in order to provide services. Recognizing the influence of culture on individuals and communities, Community Science considers approaches and methods that build on and respond to cultural traditions and assets.

The methods that Community Science uses to build capacity include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Research and literature reviews;
• Community and systems change;
• Surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder interviews;
• Information systems design;
• Case studies;
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis;
• Learning sessions to interpret and share information;
• Interactive workshops; and
• Facilitated discussions and strategic planning sessions.

For more information about what Community Science can do, view the descriptions of Our Capacities and Our Projects.